Our Philosophy

At Sporting Oklahoma, we believe a unified system of play is essential in building a foundation for maximizing the long-term development of our players. With a unified system of play, our players begin learning concepts at the 4 v 4, 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 levels of play that prepare them for the transition to 11 v 11. A unified system of play assists our staff in developing a “common language” among our players, allows seamless integration of players into various training formats and provides our teams a foundational system of play easily adjusted to meet the demands of any team, game, opponent or weather condition.

Our Identity

At the core of our identity is our ability to develop young talent that plays soccer the Sporting Oklahoma way, a possession-based attacking style of soccer focused on playing out of the back, breaking the lines, attacking 1 v 1 in wide areas and creating a range of opportunities to finish. Transitions from attacking to defending are quick, but organized, as we focus on winning the ball as quickly as possible through high pressure and by forcing play into supporting defenders.

Sporting Oklahoma players are independent-minded with the freedom and ability to make their own decisions, as well as the skill and creativity required to execute those decisions. The effort of our players is visible and constant, with each understanding the success of the team is greater than the success of the individual.

As an organization, the identity of Sporting Oklahoma is centered around its emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, as well as its devotion to its mission, vision and core values. Sporting Oklahoma is an organization dedicated to accomplishing long-term goals, regardless of short-term results.

Our Culture

At Sporting Oklahoma our culture, both on and off the field, is driven by our mission, vision and core values. We are committed to creating a positive, safe and professional environment in which our players and staff thrive. At the center of our club culture is our focus on the long term development of our players technically, tactically, physically and mentally. For this reason, our success as an organization is measured primarily by our ability to develop players to their greatest potential both on and off the field.

Sporting Oklahoma operates as a club, not an association of loosely connected teams with wide-ranging cultures. Our culture is club-wide. Our staff is connected at all levels of play, operating under a unified training and playing philosophy which creates a consistent culture for players. We value family and our culture is aimed at bringing our players, and their families, together to create a strong, happy and healthy community with an attitude of commitment and service toward each other.

Our Developmental Structure Summary

Phase 1 – Fundamental Development Phase (U4 - U8)

This development phase is focused on introducing the mechanics and techniques necessary to develop the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting and juggling. Players will begin to develop essential movement and motor skills through balance and agility exercises. Providing a positive and fun atmosphere intended to promote early engagement and the foundations of a lifelong interest in soccer is paramount in this phase.

Phase 2 – Foundational Development Phase (U9 - U12)

This developmental phase spans two levels of play with the 7 v 7 (U9 - U10) and 9 v 9 (U11 - U12) age groups. The objective of this phase is to develop creative players equipped with the skill set required to be successful in 1 v 1 situations. This is achieved through the application of advanced level mechanics and techniques, repetition and age-appropriate speed and agility exercises. Ball mastery and developing a mentality in which players attempt to maximize opportunity rather than minimize risk are paramount in this phase.

Phase 3 – Advanced Development Phase (U13 - U15)

This developmental phase is focused primarily on establishing the foundation of 11 v 11 tactical concepts, an increase in the repetition of technical training from the previous developmental phase and an introduction to mental training. Players will master essential 11 v 11 tactical concepts through large-group and functional training sessions. Players will be introduced to age-appropriate speed, agility, conditioning and strength exercises. Further development of underlying skill sets and an understanding of essential 11 v 11 tactical concepts are paramount in this phase.

Phase 4 – Premier Development Phase (U16 - U19)

This final phase of development concentrates on mastery of 11 v 11 tactical concepts and is designed to assist players in reaching their full potential technically, tactically, physically and mentally. Players will master a myriad of tactical concepts through large-group and functional training sessions. Players will be introduced to advanced level mental training, as well as speed, agility, conditioning and strength exercises designed to prepare them for the next level of play. Providing the support and resources necessary for players to realize their full potential is paramount in this phase.

Our Director of Player Development

At Sporting Oklahoma, our Director of Player Development is key to our organization realizing its Mission and Vision while living its Philosophy, Identity and Culture. Responsible for developing, implementing, and evolving our club methodology, the Director of Player Development oversees the execution of our club-wide curriculum across all programming with a focus on creating an environment for our staff structured around open communication and collaboration. We believe our Director of Player Development educating our staff, parents, and players on our methodology and the system by which we develop our players is paramount to our success and continued growth, providing continuity throughout our programming.